Chapter 28 (Because His Majesty is an Emperor)
"Is the Chief Secretary of Xizhou also involved in the case of the Prince's murder?"
After hearing his subordinate's report, Zhou Qin stopped with his right foot, which had just stepped into the Protectorate's residence.
The subordinate whispered, "The Chief Clerk has been imprisoned in a temple by Governor Wei."
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
While in Liucheng, Wei Mingsu showed him a piece of paper that said Xu family members had infiltrated Wu Yanxing's entourage. He quickly realized that the real culprit who killed Wu Yanxing was a remnant of the Xu family. In order to frame Chai Yong, he tortured Lu Sanniang as soon as he arrived in Liucheng and did not pay attention to the ten guards.
Young Master Xu escaped right under his nose.
If Wei Mingsu were to inform the Empress that Zhou Qin had colluded with the rebels and deliberately let Xu Gongzi go, even Suo Yuanli would not be able to save Zhou Qin. Emperors are suspicious, and besides, the Xu family's involvement in treason is a grave taboo for the emperor. The Empress would never forgive his oversight.
In recent years, all the officials who assisted the Xu family in their escape have been sentenced to death.
Even if Suo Yuanli protects Zhou Qin and he is spared the death penalty, what will become of him if he falls into the hands of other cruel officials?
No one knew better than Zhou Qin, a cruel official, how vicious and cruel his companions were in torturing prisoners.
The thought that those instruments of torture might be used on him terrified Zhou Qin.
Without hesitation, he immediately yielded to Wei Mingsu, indicating that he would no longer interfere in the case.
Zhou Qin was arrogant and ruthless. Although he had backed down, he couldn't swallow his anger. However, he valued his life more and knew that he had to be flexible and adaptable if he wanted to keep his wealth and status. Once he returned to Luoyang, he would surely have an opportunity to take revenge on Wei Mingsu.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
Zhou Qin stood at the entrance of the mansion, slowly recovering from his shock. He glanced at the armored soldiers with swords in front of the corridor, their faces filled with murderous intent. Cold sweat broke out on his back, and he turned and left.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
Zhou Qin's face was ashen. He hurried up the steps, scrambled onto his horse, and cursed, "No wonder Wei Mingsu didn't dare go to the Protectorate after entering Xizhou, but went straight to the temple. He's risking his life! This reckless madman wants to drag us down with him for credit!"
His subordinates followed and escorted Zhou Qin out of the residence.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
Zhou Qin cracked his whip and galloped toward the city gate, veins bulging on his face: "Out of the city! Leave Xizhou immediately!"
The subordinates looked at each other blankly. Wu Yanxing's coffin was still in the temple, and the Dharma assembly to welcome Dayun Jing at Dayun Temple had not yet been held. Were they about to leave Xizhou?
Zhou Qin had no time to explain to his subordinates. The group rode at full speed and arrived at the city gate.
The city gate was noisy and crowded, with people and camel caravans queuing up to be inspected.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
When the two deputy captains saw that Zhou Qin and his men were all riding BMWs and dressed in fine clothes, they immediately abandoned the camel caravan merchants they were questioning and came forward to greet them.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
The deputy captain respectfully inspected the checkpoint and was about to wave for passage when suddenly a series of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the city.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the gate into the city, growing ever closer, like a thunderclap, drowning out the clamor of the crowd.
The crowd was terrified and immediately dispersed, retreating to both sides of the road.
A troop of men rushed into the city, a dark mass blocking the gate. Everyone was clad in armor, carrying swords, and bows and arrows hung beside their saddles. The leader glanced at the crowd, his gaze fixed on the temple in the north of the city. His fierce and imposing aura silenced the noisy crowd instantly.
"Close the city gates immediately and do not allow a single person to leave the city."
The man said coldly.
The city guards respectfully acknowledged the order and slowly pushed open the city gate.
The crowd stared blankly.
The heavy city gates closed completely before my eyes.
Zhou Qin's men were furious and rode forward, intending to order the guards to open the city gates.
"It's too late."
Zhou Qin waved his hand and sneered.
Wei Mingsu's entry into the city and his subsequent arrests took everyone by surprise, catching the Prefect of Xizhou off guard and leading to his imprisonment.
Did he think that arresting the chief clerk would close the case?
Wei Mingsu forgot that this was not Luoyang, but Xizhou! He had created a huge hole in Xizhou's sky, would the Chief Clerk's subordinates let it go?
As long as there is a fearless general leading the way, those battle-hardened soldiers can rush into the temple at any time and chop Wei Mingsu and his entourage into mincemeat!
"Go back to the city!"
Zhou Qin gritted his teeth, turned around and went back to the city. The person the Xizhou soldiers hated the most was Wei Mingsu. The city gates were already closed, and people from Shendu would be regarded as Wei Mingsu's accomplices and would not be able to leave Xizhou. He had to find a safe place to hide as soon as possible.
...
The sky was overcast.
The mansion was dimly lit, so a maid lit a few candles and brought them into the room.
The governor of Xizhou sat at his desk, raised his head, looked around, and did not see the familiar figure of his chief secretary. His face was gloomy.
Hurried footsteps came from outside. A soldier ran into the courtyard and knelt at the door: "Commander, General Lai and the others have ordered the city gates to be closed!"
The Governor of Xizhou raised his eyelids slightly: "He's returned to the city?"
The soldier wiped his sweat and said, "Commander, General Lai heard that Governor Wei had imprisoned the Chief Clerk, so he rushed back overnight. He said he would personally behead Governor Wei and rescue the Chief Clerk!"
The wrinkled governor of Xizhou sneered, his eyes full of mockery: "Good! There are still a few men under the Chief Clerk who are not afraid of death!"
Several advisors and scholars rushed over: "General, aren't you going to send someone to stop General Lai?"
"He went to save the chief clerk to repay a debt of gratitude; that's loyalty! That's righteousness! Why stop him?"
Wei Mingsu said calmly, "Without investigation, we cannot clear our names as accomplices."
Roars and footsteps came from below the steps. The other staff members did not stop the governor of Xizhou. The governor walked over with a sword in his hand, surrounded by his generals.
With a clang, a long sword fell to the ground.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a soldier sitting on the ground, trembling, his face pale.
The generals all looked indifferent and refused to obey their orders.
Since they couldn't stop the furious governor and generals, they could only advise Governor Wei not to search the Protectorate.
The staff knew that the governor of Xizhou was still furious, and they all frowned.
The staff were extremely anxious and helpless, so they could only say, "Quickly go to the front yard and stop Governor Wei!"
Wei Mingsu did not move and said, "The Chief Secretary helped the Xu family escape and sent someone to assassinate Lu Sanniang. Who delivered the order? Who signed off on the passage through checkpoints? Who was the inside man? The Chief Secretary said that he did it all by himself. Does the Commander think this confession is convincing?"
The governor threw the knife in his hand.
The staff were alarmed and rushed over. They didn't care about their fear and clung tightly to the arm of the Governor of Xizhou, trying to calm him down. They also gave him signals to the guards in the courtyard to come and take away the broadsword.
"Wei Mingsu!"
The surrounding guards still held their swords, wanting to rush up and kill Wei Mingsu, but the two advisors were smart enough to understand Wei Mingsu's implied meaning. Their legs went weak, and they knelt on the ground.
Upon hearing the voice of the Governor of Xizhou, the soldiers became excited. Even those who had been hesitating drew their swords, and layers of sword light surrounded Wei Mingsu from the steps above and below.
Wei Mingsu turned around: "Because His Majesty is an emperor."
Before he could think of any words of persuasion, another series of footsteps sounded outside the door, and two guards rushed in: "Commander! Governor Wei has barged in with his men! He says he wants to search the Chief Clerk's study!"
Wei Mingsu shook his head.
Two aides blocked the steps, speaking incoherently.
Everyone was taken aback.
Upon hearing this, the generals reached for their swords again, but the Governor of Xizhou waved for them to step back, took a step forward, and said coldly, "Who exactly does Governor Wei intend to search? Does he want to search my study as well?"
The governor of Xizhou was stunned.
Wei Mingsu turned and left.
His entourage barged into the study where the Prefect of Xizhou worked, removed all the official documents and the Prefect's personal and official correspondence from the desk, opened the boxes, and dumped all the contents onto the mat. They carefully searched and examined everything, stuffing any paper or silk with writing or markings into the boxes they had brought, leaving the once tidy study in complete disarray.
The heavy thud broke the somber atmosphere, followed by a series of clanging sounds as longswords fell to the ground.
The governor of Xizhou was stunned.
The soldiers looked at each other, then turned to the governor of Xizhou, their faces showing hesitation.
Standing amidst the flashing blades, Wei Mingsu calmly said, "Gentlemen, please refrain from spreading alarmist rumors. If I were to die in the Protectorate today, everyone within it would be considered a traitor. Treason is the most heinous crime against the state, punishable by death, with family members implicated. Fathers and sons over the age of sixteen would be hanged, and no pardon would be granted. The Protectorate is responsible for pacifying the borders and suppressing foreign invaders. The soldiers guard the territory and are loyal to the country. Why do you two speak such slanderous words?"
The others were also taken aback, not understanding what Wei Mingsu was talking about.
After his attendants carried out the full boxes, Wei Mingsu turned around and said to the Governor of Xizhou, "Governor, the study rooms of all the Chief Secretary's subordinates must be inspected."
Two guards carried in a large sword.
The governor of Xizhou stood with a sullen face in front of the chief secretary's study, with a group of angry generals behind him.
"Governor Wei, you have already incurred the wrath of the people, why are you still risking your life?"
Wei Mingsu stood at the door, his back to them.
As Wei Mingsu's voice echoed in every corner, the cold glint of the blades surrounding him seemed to dim suddenly, and the fervor on the faces of the soldiers was shrouded in gloom.
Wei Mingsu glanced at the courtyard below the steps and said, "The governor is furious because the chief clerk failed to distinguish right from wrong, colluded with the criminals who murdered the prince, and even helped them escape in an attempt to frame others. The governor is heartbroken and therefore furious."
The governor of Xizhou said with a stern face.
Wei Mingsu stepped down the steps, his boots passing over the long swords on the ground. The soldiers made way for him without blocking his way.
The entire courtyard fell silent instantly.
The governor of Xizhou smiled, sighed, and his face showed signs of age: "Does Governor Wei intend to exterminate them all?"
"Guards, bring me my sword!" The Governor of Xizhou could no longer contain his anger and slammed his fist on the table. "Wei Mingsu, I did not want to get involved in the court's troubles and acted as a coward. You, however, have not shown any restraint and have even gone further!"
The two aides sighed deeply, their faces filled with sorrow, and took a step back.
The two advisors nodded, turned and left the courtyard. Just as they stepped onto the steps, a group of people walked quickly towards them. The man at the front was thin and wore a blue robe. It was none other than Wei Mingsu!
Wei Mingsu stopped and glanced at the two trembling staff members, his expression calm.
The guards inside the Protectorate gritted their teeth, drew their swords, and surrounded Wei Mingsu and his entourage. Each of them glared at him angrily, their faces filled with undisguised murderous intent. Layer upon layer of sword light illuminated the dim Protectorate.
Clang.
The governor of Xizhou loosened his long robe, grabbed the hilt of his sword, and strode out of the courtyard.
"Governor Wei, they will kill you!"
The governor of Xizhou couldn't help but sneer: "On what basis does Governor Wei assume that searching the study will absolve him of the title of accomplice?"
The two aides were dumbfounded. In order to prevent the tragedy from happening, they came to warn Wei Mingsu not to go in and die. Wei Mingsu not only didn't appreciate their efforts, but also asked them if they knew their crime.
The staff member was covered in cold sweat, but Wei Mingsu acted as if he didn't see it and walked with his entourage toward the study of the Prefect of Xizhou.
Amidst the flashing swords, Wei Mingsu raised his eyes, his expression unchanged, and looked at his two advisors, asking, "Do you know your crimes?"
In the courtyard, the Governor of Xizhou looked at Wei Mingsu, who stood with his hands behind his back amidst layers of flashing blades, closed his eyes, and loosened his fingers.
"Prefect Wei, please wait! The Commander-in-Chief is still furious. If you, Prefect Wei, were to search the Chief Clerk's study now, you would only add fuel to the fire. The Commander-in-Chief is enraged. Please, Prefect Wei, stop!"
...
He looked exhausted, but he spoke each word with great force, each word like a heavy hammer blow, striking everyone's heart.
"Prefect Wei!" The Governor of Xizhou called out to him, his expression doubtful. "Won't this implicate others in the Protectorate?"
Please move the original, unmodified content to the official website of [website name - implied]. If it's already there, please disable ad blocking and exit browser reading mode.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
